Machine for stringing tags.



C. SYLVESTER. MACHINE FOR STRINGING TAGS. APPLICATION FILED MARI 24, 1913.

fill/67271 02 LIL 4; La -L Patented July'l, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1 0. SYLVESTER. MACHINE FOR STRINGING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.24, 1913.

Patented Julyl, 1913.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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G; SYLVESTER.

MACHINE FOR STRINGING TAGS. APPLICATION FILED MAR.24, 1913.

Patented July 1,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3. fig. 4.

Zlyfifywsgezg: i 920670207 1% a. W m E 4: GULLLM G. SYLVESTER.

MACHINE FOR STRINGING TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1913.

1,066, 1 63. Patented July 1, 1913.

6 SHEBTE-SHEET 4. 4. 1 /0.

E 4 W u 7 hi 6 ,6. mm. M .v mm 6 m Patented July 1, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Ulll-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SYLVESTER, 0F FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR; TO WINFOBD C.

' WETHEBELL, 0F FALL RIVER, Illll'A.SSACHU'SE'ITS'.-

MACHINE non sun-memo rites.

Specification M Letters Patent.

Patented July 1913.-

Application filed March 2.4, 1913. Serial at. 756,275.

string. feeding mechanism, as for machinesfor stringing tags, whichemploy a reciprocating rod for pushing a length of string through the eye of the tag. Such a rod is shown in United States Letters Patent No.

839,241, issued to lVinford C. Wetherell, December 25, 1906. The criticism'of the string feed,- illustrated in this patent, is-that the string'is not positively delivered into position to be operated upon by .the push rod,

sits successful delivery depending'uponits own stiliness-,'and its uniformity 1n size, notwithstandmg; the string: is assisted; by

guide tubes, through which it is pushed by means of feed rollers. Occasionally the string, if not 'sufiiciently stiiior if'variable in diameter; will double up,- o'nbind .in, the tubes, and failto arrive in operative position in front of the push delivery-rod,

Now the object of the present feature of my invention is positively to deliver this string,.without placingany reliance upon its stiffness, uniformity in size and the. like; and I: attain this-object by arotatable ring to receive. and operatively hold upon its oil cumfe'rence, string that may be seasonably cut-into the desired length, and released, and then pushed away from the ring and through the eye of atag by a reciprocating pushrod operatively 'mountedwithin the llIl Enother feature resides in a simplification of the tag tying mechanism shown in the above mentioned patent, and is brought about by the substitution of reciprocating for rotating parts, when'possible.

.A third feature may be found in the tag feeding mechanism, which isnothereinafter claimed, although described to explain clearly the cycle ofoperations involvedin stringing tags I In the drawings illustrating the principle .of my invention' and the best mode now known to me of embodying the same inoperative structure, Figure 1 shows my inventionin side elevation. Fig. 2 is a front View showing the principal mechanismemployed in completing, the operation of stringing a tag. Fig. 3 is'a side view showing the string. feed, partly in section, and tag feeding mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan-of the string feed mechanism. Fig. 5 is a section of what is shown in Fig. 4: on line 5 -5.; Fig. 6

'is a bottom plan view of what is shown in 5 on line 6--6. Fig.7 is an elevation of part of the string feed. Fig. 8' illustratescams employed in operating the tag feedmechanism. Fig. 9 shows cams used 1n givmg a positive reciprocating movement tothe push rodof the string feed mechanisim' Fig; 10 is a side elevation of a tag-chute with means for delivering the tags into operative position to be strung. by the string feed mechanism. Fig. 11 is a front view of the same. Fig. 12 isa sectional view of the tag feed mechanism viewed from the side oppo site that shown in Fig. 10. Fig.13 shows .a portion of theta-g: feeding. apparatus near its uppermost position. Fig. 14 shows said apparatus in an intermediate position. Fig. l5is a plan showing the-camsand apparatus operated thereby to give the desired'positive reciprocating. movements to the tag. feeding finger. Figs; 16,17, 18, 1e,- 2o ,'21, 22, 23,

24and 25' are views to show the various 0- si't-ions-assumed byeach tag, string there or and parts employed,from the beginning to the endof'the operation of stringing and withdrawingthe tag from the tag: stringing machine.

String feeding mechanism--Mounted upon a suitable base 1 is a vertical, stationaryshaft2 to the top end portion of which is fixed a horizontal, circular plate or table 3;

Two guide blocks 4, 5, are secured-diametrically opposite upon the top-of this table, while-two guide rods 6, parallel. with the diameter of the table, connect. these two blocks. Uponthese parallel rods isreciprocatingly mounted, a push rod block 7 having: horizontally and adjustably mounted therein, a stringpush rod 8 having a bearing.

- inthe forward block 4, and having its outer end notched. To give this block a positive reciprocating motion, a pair of cams 9, 10, Figs. 1,3 and 9, are fixedto-a hollowshaft-11 surrounding the stationary shaft-21, and are engaged by two cam rolls 12, l3, upon opposite arms of a member 14,-pivotedto a slotted standard 15 on the base 1; Integral with larger diameter than the table, and having a this member is an upwardly extending arm 16, the outer end portion ofwhich, and the reciprocating push rod block 7, are 'joined together by a connecting link 17.

Free to turn upon the stationary shaft 2, but just below the table 3 for the recipro cating push rod, is a rotatable disk 18 of raised outer rim 19, with a circumferential groove 20 designed to receive the string eventually to be delivered to tag. tying mechanism, later'to be described. Two horizontal holes 21, 22, Fig. 3, diametrically opposite, and corresponding with the reciprocating push rod, in cross section, pierce the rim 19 to allow the notched push rod8 to move through the rim and to-engagethe string 23 in the circumferential. groove 20, in a way to be pointed out. In order that this rim, or string supporting member 19 may bemoved one half of a revolution, upon each revolution of the shaft 2, and be left in position to permit the push rod to move uninterruptedly, through the holes 21, 22, in the rim of this string member, there are located in the bottom portion of this string member, and diametrically opposite, two lugs 24, Fig. 5, alternately engaged by a vertically operated pin 25 mounted in a horizontally extending arm 26 fixed to the movable-hollow shaft 11, the bottom portion of the pin being engaged by a spring 27 constantly tending to hold the pin in its extreme top position. A cam-bar 28 extends laterally from the side of this pin 25 through its bearings, and may be moved by I an unlocking cam member 29, so fixed and located upon the stationary shaft that'the cam-bar engagesthe cam, and, consequently, the lock pin 25, moves below and becomes disconnected from the adjacent lug 24 on the rotatable string disk 18, when the pushrod holes 21, 22, in the string rim 19, are in 'alinement with the reciprocating string push rod. 8; thus leaving the string disk and mm in the desired pgsition, where it remains by its frictional engagement with the stationary surface of the table and shaft. But upon the completion of the next half revolution'of the shaft, the vertically operated lock pin 25 engages the next opposite'lock lug 24,] and moves the string member another half of a revolution; the unlocking cam 29 again operating-the cam-bar 28, and disengaging the pin 25 from the adjacent lock lug 24.

The string 23, Fig. 4, is deliveredto this string rim 19, from a tension device 30 having the string wound thereon, the string being delivered in a plane commonito that of the circumferential string groove 20 in the rim. ,The string is-there held by two-diametrically opposite string clamps 31, Figs. 4, 5 and 7, each of Wlll0h.'lS made up of two interlocking L-shape'd members 32, 33, Fig.

5, one,32, havinga guide rod 34 mounted in a corresponding hole therefor, through the other member 33. These two members 32, 33, of each clamp 31 are mounted in suitable vertical slots in the rim 19, and always tend to be in string locking engagement, by reason of a tension spring 35 mounted upon the outer end portion of the rod 34, and confined between a pin 36 passing through the end portion of said rod, and the under surface of the thread member 33. Each of these members, upon its inner side, has a lip-37, normally engaging the other; a pin 38, Figs. 5 and 7, passing through a portion 39 of the disk, and into a slot 40 common to the members, whereby they are held in proper relation to the string groove of the rim. Upon the top surface of the table is a pivoted blade-like cam 41, Figs. .4 and 5, which, at

suitable times, is designed to move between these lips 37, 37, for the purpose of separat-J ing them torelease the string 23. This is brought about by a cam 42, Fig. 5, fixed to tag chute 48, Fig. 1, and upon opposite sides of the path of the reciprocating string push rod 8, Fig. 4, are two'pivoted string presser fingers 49 the outer portions of which lie in the plane of the circumferential string groove 20, and press inwardly toward the groove because of two rear springs 50 fixed to the frame.

Tag tying mechanism.The string push rod 8 and connecting apparatus, although incidentally connected with the above described string feed mechanism, belong primarily with the mechanism about to be described.

Secured to the movable shaft 11 are two cams 5.1, 52,v Figs. 1, 2 and 8, for positively operating the, apparatus to deliver the two ends of'the severed string to fingers 53 completing the operationof tying the-string in the tag. A levermember 54 is pivoted to the framel47, and has two. vertically extending cam arms, 55, 56, to lie-engaged by cams 51, 52; While pivoted to aslide 57 movably secured in vertical guideways 58 in the frame, is a second lever 59, one end 60 of which is pivoted'to the free end of the lever 54,.while the opposite end 61 has therethrough a hole 62, Fig. 3, which is designed to be in alinement with the reciprocating string push'rod 8 when the push rod is in active position, and through which the loop p sitively, downwardly and outwardly, and vice versa. a

The means whereby the string is drawn into the form of a slip noose after the loop of the string has been pushed through the eye in the tag by the push rod may be described as follows :'The pair of fingers 53, Figs. 1, 2 and 16, are designed to pass down through the loop of the string pushed-through the eye 63 of the tag-64, by the push rod 8; Their outer end portions are pivoted tothe underside of a shelf 65, forming a continuation of a recipmcablerod 66; this rod being mounted in suitable guideways 6'? formed in an arm 68- pivoted to a driving shaft 69 mounted in suitable bearings, ina standard 70 The freeends 71 of these fingers are each brought down to a point, and are held in closeproximity by means of a-spring- 72, Fig. 16, secured to the rear end portion of the fingers. In order that the points of the fingers may bemoved away from each other, there is mounted upon the before mentioned reciprocable'rod 66, a jaw controiling' recip-rocat-in-g rod 73 movabiy secured in suita able guides .74. The outer end portion of. this latterrod 73 has inclined converging surfaces 7T5- adapted to enter. between the pivoted fingers 53. for the purpose of causi-n-g them to open against theaction of the spring 72, or to close, uponits withdrawal,

by the action of the spring. The vertical reci-procations of the first mentioned rod 66 are brought about by -'a cam slot 76 on: a"

member 71 mounted on the. driving shaft, engaged by a cam pin 78; whil'c the desired reciprocating movements of the jaw controllingrod 73 result from the ooii'peration of its inner end with two suitableearns 79, 80,. mounted on the driving shaft also. In other Words, by so much of the structure described, the fingers are given a vertical movement and also a transverse opening and closingmovement. It is to be noted that the plane. separating the two fingers is substanti'ally that passing through the longitudinala-Xis of the string pushrod 8. A further movement must be imparted to these fingers, namely, a vibratory movement forward and so back in this plane, and it is brought about i by means of a: link 81, connected to the pivoted farm member G8, in which the first men tioned reciprocating rod 66 is mounted, and also provided with a cam pin 82 which moves in. a suitable "cam slot83 in a'cam plate 84*, fixedto a secondarydriving shaft.

85, operated by thefirst driving shaft 69' tl'irough a chain of gears 86, 87 and 88. This link 81 has in it a longitudinal slot 89 so through which passes an: extension of the secondary driving shaft. That the jaw con-- trolling rod 73', which opens the fingers, may aiways be in aposi'tioir to engage its operating earn, it has upon it, a" helical spring 90 as having suitable abutments: whereby the.

spring constantly tends to hold the cam end of the rod in contact- With its cam surfaces. By means of a suitable train of gears 88, 91, 92,' Figs.'1 and 2, and bevel gear-s93, 94, Fig. 1, the. tag tying mechanismand the string feed mechanism,and the tag feeding mechanism about to loo-described, are caused to operatecompletely upon each revolutionof' the drivingshaft 69.

Tag feeding mechaatsm.-The tag feedmechanism consists of a downwardly inol ined chute. 48, in which may be arranged vertically the desired number of tags A, Figs. '1, 3, 19 and 12, to be threaded or strung; the width of the chute corresponding to thewidth of the tags, as shown in 11. Depending from the bottom 91 of the chute is an apron 92 having a divided shel'f 93' across its lower front edge to sustain a tag as 64:, tobe delivered thereon. In the rear surface of this apron is a vertical slot 94;, (see Fig; 25) corresponding in width and depth to thatzof the reinforcemen-t 95 of the eye onthe back of the tag. To retain the tagsin the" chute is a vertical slottedmetal plate 96 across the lower end of the chute; thesl ot being for the exposureof the front reinforcement of the eye. This plate, l1owever,-l-ies-ina vertical plane parallel with that of the face of the apron 92, but at adistance therefrom corresponding.

to. the thickness of the tag 64K- This plate extends down in front of the chute to about the same level as the-bottom 91 of the chute.

Located on the outside of the -plate, on

either side of the vertical slot 94, Fig. 11:, there is a spring finger 97. extending down- 'wardly so as toengage the bottom portion of the tag when moved into: position on the shelf of the apron, and tohold it there. A- Weight, not shown, has rolls uponits .bottom, pushingdownwardly at the rear of the pack oftags Ato force into position,

the next tag upon the withdrawal of that in front of' it. To move the front tag into- 1.0 position to have its eye in al'inement with the reciprocating string push rod, a vibratingfinger 98 is designed to slide down the'face of the tag, and in so doing" to engage the paper reinforcement of the eye on' 1- 5 the front face Of-t-he'tag; This is brought about primarily, by means of a disk 9-9, Figs. 1 3 and '15, secured to the rotatable shaft 1 1 and providedwith two vertical circularly arranged cam. surfaces 100, 101, upon which two rolis 102, 103, are connectedto a vibrating arm 104 to'give a positive forward and back movement. To one .end of this arm 1104 is connecteda vibrating lever 105-, Fig. 3, the outer end of which 1-25 is pivoted to a head 106, Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, sliding ona vertical guide or framethat the above mentioned finger 9 8 is connected so that its free endlies in the slot x3e this shaft there extend two arms in the form of a bell-crank lever, at right angles to each other; one arm 108 being held in a substantially vertical plane as in Fig. 14, by a tension spring 109, in 'the same plane and fast to a portion 110 of the head 105, the finger being out of, and in front of the plane of the tag; and the other arm 111 being substantially horizontal, when the headis at its extreme top and bottom positions, and the free end of the arm 111 is above or below and out of contact with, a vertical cam surface 112 vertically and. horizontally adjustable, so that its distance from the axis of the shaft 107, to which the arm 111 is fixed, is less than the lengtlt of this arm.

The operation-of my inoentz'omfwe will assume that all of the tags A including the tag 64 shown as resting on the shelf 93 of the apron 92 are in alinement; that the head 106 of the tag feed is approaching the uppermost pointof its stroke as shown in Fig. 13, and the end of the guide arin 111 is about to slip off of the cam surface 112, and assume the position shown in" Fig. 14:; and that the driving shaft, consequently the hollowshaft 11, Figs. 3 and 15, has begun to revolve. The roller 102 of this tag feed mechanism, is raised by the approaching surface 100, thereby drawing down the arm 104, link-105, Fig. 3, and hence the head 106, Figs. 10 and 14. In so doing the free end of the guide arm' 111 strikes the top end surface of the cam 112, Fig. 10, and against the tension of the spring 109, follows down the cam the delivery arm or finger 98,-Fig. 12, movingdown, along the face of the tag 44; coming into contact with the edge'o'f the front reinforcement 95 of the tag, and pushing the tag upon the shelf 93; the

rear reinforcement on the tag passing.

down the slot 94: in the face of the apron 92. The tag 64. is now in position to be strung, the springs 97, Fig. 11, holding the tag in place.

A length of string, equal to the circumferential distance in the thread groove 20, of the disk rim 19 of the string feed mech-.

anism, Figs. 3 and 4, between the knife blade 45 and the clamp 31 in advance of it, 1s assumed to be retained in the groove by 'the string brakes i9,Fig. The stringpush rod 8; the hole 21, in therim 19 of the rotatable disk 18; the hole 62 in the string delivery lever 59; and eye in thetag (34- are all in alinementpand they will all doing the notch in the end of the rod engages the mid-portion of the string in the adjacent grooves 20, and, overcoming thepressure of the brakes 49, on the string, forces the loop of the string through the hole 62 in the end of the string end deliveiy lever 59,.Fig. 3, and also through the eye of thetag 64:, as shoWn in Figs. 3 and 17. Meanwhile the fingers 53, of the tag tying mechanism, have assumed the position in Fig. 1, and are moving downward and toward the top of the push rod 18, as shown,

for example, in Figs. 16' and 18; this movement being brought about and continued,

first, because of the cam pin 78 in the bot- 77 of the driving shaft 69; and second, by reason of the link 81, the cam pin 82 of which engages the cam slot 83.

When the fingers 53 are'in the position shown in Figs. 16 and 18, the converging surfaces 75 of the finger rod 73 begin to move the fingers apart, because the bottom end of the rod engages the camsurface 79; the points 71 of the fingerspassing down between the string in each side of the push rod 8, Fig. 19, and simultaneously separating the loop of the string which moves up onto the shankfof'the. fingers, beyond the tom .portion of the reciprocating rod 66, Fig. 1, engaging the cam slot 7 6 on the disk points 71, as shown inFig. 20, and is spread I 52, on the main shaft, operate through the' arms '55, 56, and cause thestring member 59 to descend downwardly and forwardly into the position of the part 61, shown in Figs.'20-, 21' and 22. When the fingers 53 and their points 71, are in the position seen in Figs. 20 and 21, the finger rod 73, ceases to be operated by the cam 79; the

surfaces 75 receding-from between the fingers, and the spring 72 making themapproach and seize the end portions of the string, as appears in Figs. 21, 20 and 22. The cam slot 7 6 at this point begins to move the cam pin 78 in the bottom of the rod 66 upward and away from the string delivery member 61, through which the ends of the string extend, and in so doing, causes the ends of the strina to be withdrawn from this member, and drawn up through the loop of string, as shown in Fig. 23., Inmoving away from the tag, the fingers 53, Fig. 23,

I '125 tighten the ends of the string passing through the loop and in so doing. draw thebottom of the ta off of the shelf 93 against the pressure of tlie'springs 97. The fingers 53 are then given a further outward and of the reciprocating-jaw rod 73 engages the cam surface 80, Flg. 1', thereby again forcing thefingers 53 apart, and releasing the ready explained; this severing of the string free ends of the tag; 'the'latter dropping into a suitable receptacle. The cycle of operaticns, in so far asthe stringing or the tag isconcerned, 1 is completed. But upon the Withdrawal ofithe push rod 8, of the string feed mechanism, from the eye of the tag delivered, and the hole in the rim of the disk 19, the lock pin 25, Fig. 5, moves into engagement with the lug 21 at the left of the figure, and begins to cause the disk to move just one half of a revolution; at the completion of which the lock pin assumes the position indic'atedin Fig.5, and passes by'th'e adjacent lug 241; the disk bein aided in stopping by the friction s'tringbra es 49, Fig. 4; but when'this disk begins to mbve,

. the lips 37, 37 of the clamp, Fig. *5, are separated, by reason of knife blade cam 4:1, as shown in the figure; but when .the separated clamps slip ofi of the end of the cam blade,

they snap into engagement with the string 23 which is being delivered from the tension device 30 to. the thread slot 20, in the'rim 19. All this while, however, the clamp .31"

diametrically opposite,'as shown in Fig. 5, is also in engagement with the free end of the strin 23, which, by the knife 45, was severed om the length of string already described as delivered to the tag. Consequently, at the completion 0? each half a revolution of 'the disk, the free end of the string, shown in the clamp at the left of Fig. 5, is carried around to the diametr-if cally opposite position, at the right of the figure, where the clamp, by reason of its en-.

gaging the cam blade 51, releases thestring end heldby it; while the clamp 31 directly opposite and adjacent to the knife blade is in position "to have its string severed by the blade operated by the cam 46, as albeing brought aboutby the next outward movement of the cam 43 and the push rod 8, for the purpose of delivering the'seve'red string through the eye of the next tag to be strung. Meanwhile, the came 51, 52 have caused'the string end delivering member 59,

with its hole 62, tomov'e up into alinemen with the string push rod 8; and guidearm 111, Figs. 10 and 14, of the tag feed, havlng reached the bottom of its stroke, the tag arm 108, and ide arm finger 98, auxiliar d the Substantia position,

111 have assume shown in Fig. 14; and, on the upward stroke.

of the block 106 the end of theyguide arm 111 follows up the cam surtace 112', and

assumes the position indicated in Fig. 13,

justbefore the block reaches its top position where the end of the-guide-arnr 111 slips 011 of the cam surface 112, and again assumes the position shown in Fig. 1 1, and'above the cam surface 112.

Upon the downward stroke of the block 106, for the purpose of delivering the next tag by, causing .the tag finger 98 to slidedown the surface of the tag and engage the front reinforcement of its'eye, the guide arm 111 Fig. 14,'in its downward movement, contacts the cam surface 112, which causes the delivery tag finger to press against the face of the tag and slide down the face.thereof,'engage the top of the front reinforcement of the tag' eye, and push the tag down upon theshelf 93 or the apron 92, as appearsin Figs. 10, 11 and '12, in the manner already fully described. This cycle of operation takes place and is repeated upon each revolution of the drivingshaft'. Thetiming of the diiferent operations, and thevarious forms of cam sure faces and the like, will be readily under stood without further description; it being understood that tormal changes in structure may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention,

Desiring to protect my invention in the move this device beneath a tag; apair string gripping fingers, the downward points of which, when closed, are inthe plane of the longitudinal axis ofthe reciprocating ush rod; means to move them about a center toward and away from the push rod; reciprocating means mounted in saidlast mentioned means, to cause the fingers to reciprocate upwardly and downwardly; and vibrating means mounted the reciprocatlng means to cause said fingers'to open and close at predetermined times; all designed to cause the fingers to" ass down throng the loop of string supplied b the push rod,

open an seize the free en s of the loop of string moved into suitable position by the string end delivering device, and then draw the'free ends up through the'loop, and re lease them. p v

2. In a tag tying machine, a -tim ely re- 'ciprocating string push rod; a string-end delivering device, through which-the push-rod partial-1v pushes a loop of string; means to move this device beneath a tag; a pair 'of string grippin fingers, the downward points of whic i, when closed, are in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the temprocating push rod; means to move them about a center toward and away from the push rod reciprocating means mounted in said last mentioned means, to cause the fingers to reciprocate upwardly and downwardly; and vibrating means mounted in the reciprocating means to cause said fingers to open and close at predetermined times; all designed to cause the fingers to pass down through the loop of string supplied by the push -rod, open and seize the free ends of the loop of string moved into suitable position 'by the string and delivering device, and then draw the free ends up through the loop, and down to withdraw thetag from the machine and then release the string ends "and drop the tag.-

3. In a tag tying machine, a timely reciprocating string push rod; a string-end delivering device, through which the push rod partially pushes a loop of string; means to move this device downward and outward beneath atag; a pivoted arm timely'operated by a cam; a reciprocating rod mounted in said arm and operated by a cam; a pair of string gripping fingers mounted upon the outer end portion of said arm, the downward points of which fingers, whenclosed are in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the push rod; a finger operating rod, mount ed in the reciprocating rod, and operated by a cam to cause said fingers to open and close at predetermined .times; all designed to cause the fingers to pass down through the loop of string, open and seize the free ends of the loop of string, moved into suitable position by the string-end delivering device,

and then draw the free ends up through the- 100p and release them.

upon the last stoppage of the string disk before the device again seizes the string being fed to the disk; means to sever the string simultaneously with said release of the.

string; the preceding gripping device still retaining the end of the strin the disk; a pair of spring fingers on the frame of the machine, enga ing the piece of string, severed, and release by the forward string ripping device; means to holdthe latter evlce open until it is'againin posi tion once more to seize the string fed into the string groove of the string disk; and then to release the device to seize the string;

. the strin being fed to alldesigned to permit the push rod upon each revolution of the disk, to engage the mid portionof the severed string, and push it away from the disk and out of contact with the string retaining fingers.

5. A stationary shaft; a rotatable string disk mounted upon-said shaft having a' circumferential string groove; atable within the circumference of the disk, and mounted upon'the stationary shaft; guideways upon said table; a reciprocating string push rod; a cross head mounted uponthe guideways, and carrying said push, rod; said push rod operating in the plane of the string groove; there being holes'in said string disk through .which the push rod may move; and means to move the disk so that-a hole'will be in stoppage of the string disk before the device agaln' seizes the string being fed to the disk; means'to sever the string simultane- -.ously"with' said release of the string; the

preceding gripping device still retaining the end of-the string being fed to the-disk; a pair of spring brakes on. the frame of the machine, engaging the-piece of string, sev

.ered, and released by' the forward string gripping device; and means to hold the latter device open until it is again in position once more to seize the string fed into the string groove of the string disk; and then to release the device toseize the string; all designed 'to permit the push rod upon each revolution of the disk, to engage the mid portion of the severed string, and push--it away fromthe disk and out of contact with brakes.

6. In t e string feedof a tag tying mechanism, a stationary shaft; a table fixed thereto; 'a rotatable string disk 'mounted upon said shaft, having a circumferential ed in movements; guideways upon said table; a reciprocating string push rod; a cross head mounted upon the uideways,

string groove, and being ,frictionally resistand carrying said push rod; sai push rod operating in the plane of the string-groove,

and diametricallyof the string-disk; there I being holes, diametrically. opposite in the string groove in the disk, through which the push rod may move; means to'i nove the disk one half a revolution, for each revolution of a driving-shaft; means timely to reciprocate the string push rod, once for each revolution of the driving shaft; two string gripping devices, diametrically opposite, upon the string'disk; means to cause each, while inevin with the strin disk, at a predetermined point of its comp ete revolutlon, to seize a piece of string fed to the string disk; Ineans to cause each gripping device upon the second stoppage of the string disk, after seizing the string, to release the string; means to'- sever the string at a point diametrically opposite the released end of the string, si-

multaneously with said release of the string;

the gripping device, still retaining the end of thestring being fed to the disk; a pair of spring brakes onthe frame of the; machine,

engaging the piece of string, severed, and

mere to'seize the stringfedinto the string 5 grooveof the string disk; and, then to release the device to seize the string so fed; all designed to permitthepush rod upon each revolution of the disk, to engage the mid portion of the severed string, and push 20 it away'from the disk and out of contact With the String retaining brakes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in. Presence of two Witnesses. CHARLES. SYLVESTER. Witnesses: i

E. F. UNIAC,

. A. I. CRAWFORD. 

